ezs note: Are you or a loved one approaching age 65 years or older? Are you younger than that, but want to plan ahead? If you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, the time to start planning is now. A good place to start is at www.lgbtei.org.

22 February 2013

Earlier this week, I was so excited having a brief meeting at a town hall with my representative John Larson. I said my bit - but now it's your turn.

I can't tell you adequately how much this will mean to you. All I can say to you is to give it a try. If you are prevented by work or distance, send an e-mail. Even if your representative is initially opposed to what you have to say, one more person - one more voter - may make him or her think twice.

As for me, I'm for freedom. Freedom to meet. Freedom to marry. Freedom to walk the streets unaccosted. Freedom to share a dinner without being kicked out. Freedom to make love without the police ramming down your door. Freedom to visit your sick partner. Freedom to say a final farewell.

This is an Internet sampling of places in the US and Canada. US residents, please go to www.house.gov and enter your ZIP code. Canadian residents, please go to www.parl.gc.ca and enter your directions.

ezs note: Holy moly! When "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." went off the air, many people thought Jim Nabors had disappeared. (at least I did) But he didn't. He married longtime lover Stan just recently. Congratulations, Jim and Stan! May you have a long, happy life together!

Yesterday afternoon I was busy typing away at my computer when my friend Dave walked into the restaurant I was in. I had called him the previous night asking if he was interested in going to see our representative John Larson. When he said he was willing to go, I immediately went home, got dressed to the nines, and got back into his car and drove off.

Once we got to the community college, it was... um... bigger than we we expected. It was still a single building, but it was in kind of a strange, curvy shape. We had to go about a bit, but ultimately we found where representative Larson was talking.

Now to the point: When I sat down, I wasted no time in getting to my theme. I was wondering how the sequester would affect me and my house.

After the main session was over, I went up to him and said that I was a transgender individual, and that I was still very concerned about LGBT people, particularly in the south and west.

So, what is the point? I got off my rump. I got into my friend's car. Despite a crazy situation, I got to where my representative was speaking. And I spoke to him, not once but twice, despite my having a stroke.

YOU CAN TOO.

Everywhere across the country, representatives hold town meetings. When they get there, all manner of people show up. From the very richest to the very poorest. From the most conservative to the most liberal, and every shade in between. There's only one person who might not show up.

You.

C'mon. Be proud. When your representative has a town or city meeting, show up and speak up.

Emily's virtual rocket - what it is and what it isn't

Emily's virtual rocket is a large compendium of newspapers, newsweeklies, and monthlies, etc. which cover mainly transgender

issues. On a smaller scale, gay / lesbian / bisexual are also covered. Whether heavy or light, I select those which are relevant.

is not:

I do not cover issues which are really silly. For example, thoughts on lap-dancing, with no serious interest, is not my cup of coffee.

Of course, what is important and what is not is entirely subjective. Such is life.

By the way, an important note should be made here. When I present an article regardingvarious twits and morons (such as transgender people going to hell - again!) I am NOT endorsing their lunatic views. I simply want you to keep you informed, and, if pissed enough, writing or e-mailing your Congressperson. (In other countries, the names may be different.)

Oh... one more thing... I try to present a very wide variety of views in the LGBT community... therefore the views expressed are NOT necessarily the views of EZS.